SB113 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald H. AllenSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Motor vehicles, electric bicycles, age and equipment requirements, further provided, Act 2021-134, 2021 Reg. Sess., am'd; Sec. 32-5A-267 am'd.
Summary: SB113 tightens age rules for electric bicycles, requires helmets for all riders, and adds labeling and safety requirements for electric bicycles.
What This Bill Does
The bill changes who can operate different classes of electric bicycles by setting a new minimum age of 14 for Class 1 and Class 2 bikes and keeping a 16-year limit for Class 3 bikes, while requiring helmet use for riders of all classes. It also requires manufacturers to label each electric bicycle with its class, top assisted speed, and motor wattage, and it prohibits tampering that would change speed without updating the label. Additional safety rules include speedometer requirements for Class 3 bikes, a requirement that the motor disengages when pedaling stops or brakes are applied, and giving local governments power to restrict certain classes on multi-use paths.

Who It Affects
Young riders and their guardians: minors under 14 are prohibited from operating Class 1/2 electric bicycles, minors under 16 cannot operate Class 3 bikes, and all riders must wear a helmet.
Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and local governments: must label bikes with class, top speed, and wattage; must ensure safety standards and prevent tampering; may regulate where different classes can be used on multi-use paths; and must implement safety features like a speedometer on Class 3 bikes.

Key Provisions
Age requirements: under 14 years may not operate Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycles; under 16 years may not operate Class 3 electric bicycles.
Helmet requirement: all operators and passengers of Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 electric bicycles must wear a properly fitted helmet meeting specified safety standards.
labeling: starting January 1, 2022, manufacturers/distributors must affix a permanent label showing classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage.
Tampering prohibition: cannot modify an electric bicycle to change speed without replacing the classification label.
Safety standards: electric bicycles must comply with bicycle equipment/manufacturing standards adopted by the U.S. CPSC or ASTM.
Operation mechanics: electric bicycles must have the motor disengage or stop propelling when the rider stops pedaling or brakes are applied.
Riding areas: electric bicycles may be ridden where bicycles are allowed (streets, lanes, paths, etc.).
Local control on paths: counties/municipalities may prohibit Class 1/2 on multi-use paths and may prohibit Class 3 on such paths, with exceptions for certain non-motorized trails.
Class 3 speedometer: all Class 3 electric bicycles must have a speedometer displaying speed in mph.
Passenger rule: a person under 16 may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 bicycle if the bicycle is designed to accommodate passengers.
Effective date: the act becomes effective immediately after passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles